Chapter – 3 (Three) Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction
The present part of the study is about the methodology that has been adopted in order to carry out the present study. Methodology acts as a guide in conducting research studies and hence, mentioning the methodology is required to know the research design on the basis of which the research study would be carried out. The present chapter begins with the identification research questions, delineates the objectives aimed to be achieved and the hypotheses to be tested. The chapter also presents the framework of the study and the research design adopted in order to derive at the result and inferences with regard to the “Marketing Practices of Women Entrepreneurs of Manipur with reference to select Marketing Mix”. The framework of the study delineates the step wise process through which the study has been conducted. The relevant research methods and tools which have been employed are also mentioned in this chapter. It is structured in such a way that it begins with the identification of the nature of present research study, then continues with the identification of the respective tools and techniques that can be used under the specific type of research, also the identification of the data that are required for the study and the procedure of collecting the required data; and next is the verification of the sources from which data are to be obtained involving identification of the population of the study and from it, obtaining the required sample size of the study, designing of the tool for obtaining data from the sources such as questionnaire and personal field interview, and finally ends with the framing of the design for analysis and interpretation of the collected data so as to enable to form a basis
[97] for drawing conclusions and then making suggestions to the women entrepreneurs of
Manipur for better performance and effectiveness in marketing their products.
3.2 Research Questions
The research issues and the research gap which lead the researcher in arising some research questions with regard to marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of
Manipur are as follows:
I. What is the educational status of women entrepreneurs of Manipur?
II. What types of marketing practice are followed by women entrepreneurs of
Manipur with regard to Product?
III. What types of marketing practice are followed by women entrepreneurs of
Manipur with regard to Price?
IV. What types of marketing practice are followed by women entrepreneurs of
Manipur with regard to Promotion?
V. Does the nature of social system in Manipuri society influence in developing
marketing practices among the women entrepreneurs of Manipur?
VI. Whether educational status of women entrepreneurs of Manipur has influenced
on their marketing practices or not?
3.3 Objectives of the Study
Based on the research questions, for the present study the objectives which have been developed are as follows:
General: To examine the educational qualification of women entrepreneurs of Manipur and to identify the marketing practices followed by them.
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Specific:
I. To identify the marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur with
regard to Product.
II. To identify the marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur with
regard to Price.
III. To identify the marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur with
regard to Promotion.
IV. To investigate how the marketing practices are developed among women
entrepreneurs of Manipur.
V. To offer suggestions, if any.
3.4 Hypotheses of the Study
The working hypotheses which have been developed for the study are presented as:
1. There is no significant difference between educational qualification of women
entrepreneurs of Manipur and their marketing practices with regard to Branding
and Labelling of the products.
2. There is no significant difference between the pricing method and the choice of
business type by women entrepreneurs of Manipur.
3. There is no significant difference between educational qualification of women
entrepreneurs of Manipur and using of modern marketing practices with regard
to promotion of products.
4. There is no significance difference between the social system of Manipur and
the development of different marketing practices with regard to three P(s) of
marketing mix among the women entrepreneurs of Manipur.
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3.5 Structure of the Study
The research study “Marketing Practices of Women Entrepreneurs of Manipur is carried out in a definite structure which is laid down in the figure 1.1.
Identify the problem to be investigated in the study
Explore Related Theory and Literature; Confirm Research Motives and Objective; Verify the Variables
Design research method; Identify the data acquisition methods
and techniques – developed questionnaire and field interview technique
Prepare and Arrange for face to face interview along with the pre and post cases related papers and documents
Compile the papers and documents of Interview and Arrange for Analysis and Interpretation of the Results
Draft the Conclusions and Suggestions
Figure 3.1: The structural process for carrying out the research study. Source: Compiled by the researcher
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3.6 Research Methodology
Research as identified by authors is basically classified into four types according to their nature, viz. – descriptive, analytical, exploratory, fundamental/pure and action research. Each of these types of research has different approaches or ways of carrying out. C.C Crawford defines research as a systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing specialised tools, instruments and procedures in order to obtain a more adequate solution for a problem than would be possible under ordinary means (Singh,
2006)1. While, Kothari (2014)2 has put forward the definition of research methods as those methods which are used by the researcher during the course of studying his research problem and research methodology as the science of studying the various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with the logic behind them. From this definition, it can be known that research methodology acts as the guideline to researchers in carrying out different types of research. It provides the framework for carrying out the research of a particular nature by serving as a basis of logic and reasoning to the researchers in applying the various methods and tools/techniques available for carrying out a particular research study. For the purpose of conducting the present study ‘Marketing Practices of Women Entrepreneurs of
Manipur with reference to select Marketing Mix’ the research methodology comprises of the steps laid down in an orderly manner:
1. Identification of the Nature of Research and the type of research design that
would be employed in the study.
1 Singh, Y. K. (2006). Fundamental of Research Methodology and Statistics. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Limited Publishers. 2 Kothari, C. R. & Garg, G. (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. Mumbai: New Age International (P) Limited Publishers.
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2. Identification of the type of data required and the process of obtaining the
required data.
3. Framing of the sampling design which would become the source of
obtaining the required primary data.
4. Framing of the questionnaire design on the basis of the review of theories
and literatures in lieu of the objectives and hypotheses of the study.
5. Identifying the scope of the study which involves delineating the aspects
which would be covered under the present study.
6. Identifying the time period during which the present study would be
conducted.
7. Identifying the geographical area where the present study would be carried
out.
8. Framing of the analysis design that defines the type of statistical tools used
in the study for analysis purposes and also for the purpose of drawing
inferences/conclusions.
9. Framing of the chapter wise plan/scheme in which the study would be
presented.
3.6.1 Nature of Research
Generally studies conducted on marketing research by business enterprises are exploratory in nature. Exploratory research is one which is conducted in new areas of inquiry, where the goals of research are: to scope out the magnitude or extent of a particular phenomenon, problem or behaviour; to generate some initial ideas about that phenomenon; and to test the feasibility of undertaking a more extensive study regarding
[102] that phenomenon (Bhattacherjee, 2012)3. It involves formulation of hypotheses rather than testing it and requires inbuilt flexibility in order to carry out such research
(Kothari, 2004) 4 . However, the present study “Marketing Practices of Women
Entrepreneurs of Manipur with reference to select Marketing Mix” is concerned with finding out the facts related to marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur.
In brief, the purpose of the research study is to report and describe the marketing phenomenon of women entrepreneurs of Manipur, that is, what are the marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur, how marketing practices have been developed among women entrepreneurs of Manipur, to provide an understanding as to why it is important to conduct such kind of study in the context of Manipur and finally to make suggestions/recommendations to women entrepreneurs of Manipur for improvement and modification in their practice with regard to marketing of their products. According to Singh (2006)5 “those researches whose objective is to find out facts or events are by nature descriptive. However, if the researches are dependent upon the experience or observation of phenomena and events and generation of a series of expected results or hypotheses and statistically analysing the variables under observation then such type of research is an empirical research”. Kothari (2004)6 has mentioned that in case of descriptive research, the researcher has no control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening. Nevertheless, descriptive research is not confined to fact gathering expedition only; rather it is the
3 Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research: Principles, Methods and Practices. USF Tampa Bay Open Access Textbooks Collection, Book 3.
4 Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques (Second Revised Edition). New Delhi: New Age International (P) Limited, Publishers.
5 Ibid (1). 6 Ibid (4).
[103] glue of explanation and understanding, and also the framework of theory (Siu, 2000)7.
Hence, the present research study has been identified as descriptive as well as empirical in nature and as such rigidly structured research design has been applied for conducting the study. Accordingly, the survey method of collecting data was employed, probability method of sampling design (proportionate sampling) was used and data was collected through personal interview to the women entrepreneurs with the help of structured questionnaire.
3.6.2 Data Requirement and Collection Design
For this study, both primary and secondary data have been used.
(a) The secondary data comprises mainly from the unpublished reports collected from
the Department of Nucleus Cell, Directorate of Commerce and Industries,
Government of Manipur. Data were also obtained from published sources such as
websites, journals, articles, books, reports published by government and non
government agencies; and the unpublished reports and documents were also
consulted for the study.
(b) The primary data were collected through structured interview to the registered
women entrepreneurs of Manipur.
3.6.3 Sampling Design
(a) POPULATION SIZE: Since, the study is an attempt to identify the marketing
practices of women entrepreneurs, in order to achieve this objective, the total
7 Sui, W. S. (2000). Marketing Practices of Chinese Small Firms: A Comparison among State-owned, Collective and Private Enterprises. Retrieved May 04, 2015 from http://sbaer.uca.edu/research/icsb/2000/03.pdf.
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number of registered women enterprises obtained from the Nucleus Cell, Directorate
of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur from 1st April, 1991 to 31st
March, 2013 were taken into consideration. Therefore,
Universe of the study = Women entrepreneurs of Manipur
Population of the study = Registered women enterprises of Manipur
Population Size = 472 units.
(b) SAMPLE SIZE: Since the population of the study is finite the Krejcie and Morgan
table for sample size determination for a given population (at 95% confidence level
5.0 margin of error) was adopted. Accordingly, the sample size for the study
obtained was 210 units.
Hence,
Sample size = 210 units.
Sample Unit = Women Entrepreneurs
The 210 sample units were collected through convenient sampling method. For the purpose a specific procedure was adopted which is presented in a step wise manner:
Step 1 – Calculation of sample size from the population of the study by using
K.M. Model.
Step 2 – Calculation of sample size separately for each district of the state in
proportionate to the sample size of the study.
This is shown in figure 3.2.
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District distribution of Population Size Sample units (472 units)
Sample Size (210 units)
Valley Districts Hill Districts (147 units) (63 units)
Bishnupur Churachadpur (16 units) (8 units) Imphal East (37 units) Tamenglong (11 units) Imphal West (60 units) Ukhrul Thoubal (44 units) (34 units)
Figure 3.2: Sample Size Determination on the basis of Secondary Data obtained from Nucleus Cell, Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur. Source: Nucleus Cell, Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Govt. of Manipur.
3.6.4 Questionnaire Design
On the basis of the objectives and hypotheses of the study, structured questionnaire with both open ended and closed ended questions was developed. The closed ended questions consisted of multiple choice type questions in nature while the open ended questions consisted of questions of such nature that allows free response and opinion.
The questionnaire was developed with the help of the Parameters and Variables identified from the review of book literatures and existing studies on marketing practices of business enterprises. The questionnaires were administered to the respondents by the researcher herself.
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A structured questionnaire consisting of four main parts was basically designed to cover the objectives and hypotheses of the study in such a manner:
a) Part I of the questionnaire consisted of components such as the respondents’
personal profile, respondents’ profile related to their family traits, their
enterprise’s profile, and the product related details of the enterprise of women
entrepreneurs of Manipur.
b) Part II of the questionnaire covers questions on variables that fulfil the first
objective of the study i.e. to identify the marketing practices of women
entrepreneurs of Manipur with regard to Product as well as a part of the fourth
objective of the study, i.e. how the marketing practices with regard to product
has been developed among women entrepreneurs of Manipur. The questionnaire
therefore provides information on the practices adopted by women entrepreneurs
of Manipur in relation to the Product element of marketing mix viz. – Branding,
Labelling, Packaging, Standardization, and Product related services provided by
the enterprises.
c) Part III of the questionnaire covers questions on variables that fulfil the second
objective of the study i.e. to identify the marketing practices of women
entrepreneurs of Manipur with regard to price as well as a part of the fourth
objective of the study, i.e. how the marketing practices with regard to price has
been developed among women entrepreneurs of Manipur, respectively. In this
part of the questionnaire, questions framed consisted of information on the
practices adopted by women entrepreneurs of Manipur in relation to the Price
element of marketing mix like the different Pricing Methods and the
Promotional Pricing Methods.
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d) Part IV of the questionnaire covers questions on variables that fulfil the third
objective of the study i.e. to identify the marketing practices of women
entrepreneurs of Manipur with regard to Promotion as well as a part of the
fourth objective of the study, i.e. how the marketing practices with regard to
product has been developed among women entrepreneurs of Manipur,
respectively. Hence, the questions contained in this part of the questionnaire
were aimed to provide information on the practices adopted by women
entrepreneurs of Manipur in relation to the Promotion element of marketing mix
viz. – Personal Selling, Advertising, Sales Promotion, Public Relations, and
Sales Forecasting.
Then, the responses of the sample units were recorded in a response model table which were designed and developed on the basis of the questionnaire of the study. The response model table is particularly meant for use by the researcher for better understanding and convenience in recording and processing the data.
The questionnaires which are specifically designed and develop for the purposes of the study were presented in Appendix II of the reference section of the study.
3.6.5 Scope of the Study
The study is about marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur.
Therefore, women enterprises which have registration under the Department of Nucleus
Cell, Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur were covered.
For the purpose of the present study, only the manufacturing sector was considered and service sector was ignored from the purview of the study. Further, though there are four elements of marketing mix for manufacturing sector viz. Product, Price Place and
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Promotion, the study is concentrated only on the Product, Price and Promotion elements of marketing mix.
3.6.6 Period of the Study
1. For the study women enterprises which have registration between two different
periods i.e. from April 1991 to March 2013 were taken up.
2. Field study – The primary data of the study were collected through field survey
and structured interview to the respondents during the month of April –
October, 2015.
3.6.7 Geographical Area of the Study
The geographical area for the study covers all the nine districts of Manipur.
However, while proportionately distributing the sample size to the respective nine districts, it was found that the percentage distribution for Chandel and Senapati district were nil i.e. 0.36 per cent only and hence, these districts were excluded from the study.
3.6.8 Analysis Design
The present study is based on data collected from 198 units engaged in manufacturing sector. For the purpose of analyses, interpretation and drawing inferences of the study both the descriptive as well as inferential statistical tools were used. The descriptive statistical tools were used particularly for processing, analysing and interpreting the raw data obtained and basically serves the purpose of justifying the objectives of the study while the inferential statistical tools were used particularly for drawing inferences of the study and basically serves the purpose of testing the hypotheses of the study.
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Consequently, the 198 complete and returned questionnaires were processed and the data obtained were presented in a tabular manner using SPSS. For the purpose of analysing the primary data, relevant statistical tools that can be employed for the study has been identified as follows:
(i) For Nominal data; Frequency, Percentage and Mode.
(ii) For Ordinal data; Median and Percentile.
(iii) For Interval data; Mean, Range, and Standard Deviation (S.D).
(iv) For Ratio data; Geometric and Harmonic Mean.
TOOLS FOR ANALYSIS • Frequency • NOMINAL Percentage DATA • Mode
ORDINAL • Median • Percentile RAW DATA
DATA • Mean INTERVAL • Range DATA • Standard Deviation
RATIO • Geometric Mean DATA • Harmonic Mean
Figure 3.4: Identification of tools that can be used for analysing data of different nature Source: Compiled By the Researcher
Then, the hypotheses of the study were tested with the help of a definite hypothesis testing criteria which were designed and developed for the purpose of the study. The Hypotheses Testing Criteria of the proposed study were structured in the following manner:
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Phase 1: Classification of the data obtained on the variables of hypotheses according
to measuring scale i.e. nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio.
Phase 2: Classification of the identified nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio data into
normally distributed data and freely distributed data.
Phase 3: Application of the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools.
Generally, there are two kinds of descriptive and inferential statistical tools
which are available and those are parametric and non-parametric statistical
tools. Specifically, the following were noted while selecting the statistical
tools –
(i) Nominal, ordinal, Interval and Ratio scale data which are normally
distributed are required to test hypotheses through parametric statistical
tools.
(ii) Nominal, ordinal, Interval and Ratio scale data which are freely
distributed are required to test hypotheses through non-parametric
statistical tools.
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Tools for Hypothesis Testing
Statistical Tools for Hypothesis Testing
Data which are Data which are freely normally Parametric Non Parametric distributed distributed Statistical Tools Statistical Tools
Tools: Tools: •t test •Spearman •Z test Correlation •F test •Chi square test •ANOVA •Wilcoxon test •Pearson Correlation •Mann Whitney test •Regression (linear •Kruskal Wallis test and non linear) •Friedman test
Figure 3.5: Identification of tools that can be used for testing the hypotheses of the study Source: Compiled by the researcher.
With the help of the procedure mentioned which involve classification of primary data into measuring scales as well as into normally or freely distributed data, then identification of appropriate tools and finally assigning the appropriate statistical tool for hypotheses testing; the analysis, interpretation and testing of the hypotheses of the present study were made. Accordingly, the study has assigned the following tools:
(i) The primary data of the study comprises of nominal and ordinal data and
hence, the tools assigned for these types of data involve percentage and
mode.
(ii) The primary data of the study are freely distributed and therefore non
parametric statistical tool, chi square test and symmetric measure has been
used to test the hypotheses of the study.
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Statistical Tools Used Primary Data in the Study Chi Square Percentage test
Nominal Data 87% Symmetric Measures Ordinal Data 13% Frequency Median
Figure 3.6: Statistical tools used in the study for analysing the data as well as testing the hypotheses of the study. Source: Compiled by the researcher.
Further, the analyses of the data were also done with the help of cross tabulation method by using SPSS to give a clear picture of inter – relation between two or more variables (relationship between variables).
3.6.9 Chapter Scheme
The study “Marketing Practices of Women Entrepreneurs of Manipur with
Reference to Select Marketing Mix” is divided into three main parts: Part 1, Part 2 and
Part 3.
Part 1: Preliminary Section – The Preliminary Section comprises of the title page, certificate, declaration, acknowledgement, list of tables, list of figures and list of pictures.
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Part 2: The Main Text – This part is divided into five main chapters.
Chapter 1: Introduction – This chapter covers the introductory theme, the concept of marketing and marketing practices, introduction to women entrepreneurs of India and
Manipur and the theoretical framework of the study.
Chapter 2: Review of Literature – This chapter reveals about the objectives and hypotheses of the study, the structure of the present study and presents the review of the available literature and the gap in research.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology – In this chapter, the methods and procedures employed in the study were presented describing the type of data required, the sources of the data required for the study, the method of collecting the data and the design laying down the tools used for analysing the obtained data, etc. Also, an introduction to the Manipur state i.e. study area have been enunciated.
Chapter 4: Findings, Analyses and Interpretations – The findings of the primary data regarding the marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur with regard to product, price and promotion element of marketing mix are presented and along with it the critical analyses and interpretation of the various data obtained are also presented in this chapter.
Chapter 5: The limitations of the study and summary of the findings have been enunciated and the conclusions drawn and suggestions made have also been presented in this chapter.
Part 3: Reference Section – This is the last part of the thesis and it enunciates bibliography; appendices; and glossary covering the sample size determination table, questionnaire of the study, the normality test result, investigator’s guide, list of seminars, workshops and conferences attended and publications made by the research scholar of the present study.
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3.7 Operational Definitions
The key terminologies included in the present research study has been identified and defined in this part of the chapter.
1. Women Enterprise
As per the MSMED Act, 2006 “an enterprise (manufacturing or service) managed by one or more women entrepreneurs in proprietary concerns, or in which she/they individually or jointly have a share capital of not less than 51 per cent as partners/shareholders/Directors of Private Limited Company/Members of Cooperative
Society is called a women enterprise”.
2. Women Entrepreneur
“As per government of India women entrepreneurs has defined women entrepreneurs based on women participation in equity and employment of a business enterprise. Accordingly, the government of India has defined a women entrepreneur as
‘an enterprise owned and controlled by a women having a minimum financial interest of fifty one (51) per cent of the capital and giving, at least fifty one (51) per cent of the employment generated in the enterprise to women’. Further, with a view of changing the outlook for the promotion of women entrepreneurs, this definition was revised by government of India in 1991, by omitting the condition of employing 51 per cent of women workers (Khanka, 2008)8”.
In lieu of the definition of women entrepreneur given by the Government of India, for the purpose of the present study the definition of women entrepreneur of Manipur has been developed and stated as:
8 op. cit. Khanka, 2008
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Women Entrepreneurs are those women of Manipur who
participate and engage themselves in setting up and running
the enterprise.
According to MSMED Act, 2006 whether male or female enterprises are categorised into three types: (i) Micro, (ii) Small, and (ii) Medium Enterprises and they are defined on the basis of the investment in plant and machinery (for manufacturing enterprises) or in equipment (in case of enterprises providing/rendering of services):
(A) In case of enterprises engaged in manufacturing or producing of goods,
enterprises are defined as:
(i) a micro enterprise, if the investment in plant and machinery is more than
twenty five lakh rupees;
(ii) a small enterprise, if the investment in plant and machinery is more than
twenty five lakh rupees but does not exceed five crore rupees; or
(iii) a medium enterprise, if the investment in plant and machinery is more
than five crore rupees but does not ten crore rupees.
(B) In case of enterprises engaged in providing or rendering of services, enterprises
are defined as:
(i) a micro enterprise, if the investment in equipment does not exceed ten
lakh rupees;
(ii) a small enterprise, if the investment in equipment is more than ten lakh
rupees but does not exceed two crore rupees; or
(iii) a medium enterprise, if the investment in equipment is more than two
crore rupees but does not exceed five crore rupees.
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3. Registered Enterprises
For the study registered enterprises have been defined as “all those enterprises which have registered with the State Directorate of Commerce and Industries,
Manipur”.
4. Manufacturing Enterprises
According to MSMED Act 2006, the manufacturing enterprises within its ambit include the following activities:
i. Manufacturing Wearing Apparel;
ii. Manufacturing of grain mill products, starches and starch products, and
prepared animal feeds;
iii. Manufacturing of fabricated metal products;
iv. Manufacturing of furniture;
v. Spinning, weaving and finishing of textiles;
vi. Manufacturing of non –metallic products;
vii. Manufacturing of special purpose machinery;
viii. Manufacturing of other textiles;
ix. Manufacturing of other chemical products;
x. Manufacturing of structural metal products, tanks, reservoirs and steam
generators;
xi. Production, processing and preservation of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, oils
and fats;
xii. Manufacturing of jewellery, musical instruments, sports goods, toys,
stationary, decorative articles, etc;
xiii. Manufacturing of products of wood, cork, straw and painting materials;
xiv. Manufacturing of footwear, etc.
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5. Industry Group
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India has laid down the broad major Industry Group which covers within its ambit several type of businesses. These are:
1. Agro based food processing industry.
2. Rural Engineering and Bio-Tech industry
3. Forest based industry.
4. Hand-made paper and fibre industry
5. Mineral based industry.
6. Polymer and Chemical Based Industry
7. Textile based Industry
The textile based industry within its ambit includes the following:
Ban making Embroidery Embroidery of fabrics Hosiery Kamble weaving Manufacture of silk sarees Mineral water Manufacturing of paints Tailoring and preparation of readymade garments Thread balls and woollen balling lacchi making Toys and doll making
Within the ambit of agro based food processing industry, rural engineering and Bio-
Tech industry include the following business activities:
Agro Based Food Processing Industry Rural Engineering and Bio-Tech industry Bakery products Carved wood and artistic furniture Bedana/Raisin Industry/Seeds making
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Processing Iron grill making Cashew/Chironji processing (Dry Iron works Fruits) Manufacture of musical instruments Cattle Feed and Charolie making Manufacture of handmade utensils Coconut and Areca nut products out of brass Daliya making, Indian Sweet Manufacture of household Making and Threshing units aluminium utensils Fruits and Vegetables Processing Manufacture of rural transport Ghani Oil Industry vehicles such as hand carts Groundnut Decordicator (Seeds/Oil Manufacture of various material Purpose) handling equipments Khava and Chakka Unit Manufacture of decorative bulbs Manufacture of Mahendi Manufacture of electronic clocks Manufacture of Cane-Gur and and alarm time pieces Khandsari/Jaggery making Manufacture of handmade utensils Manfuacture of Chips from out of copper Banana(raw)/Potato Manufacture of paper pins Manufacturing of food industry Manufacture of engineering Manufacturing of Ice/Ice Candy instruments (tube lights) Masala, Milk products making and Manufacture of machinery spare Noodles making, Papa making, and parts/bearing, etc. Supari Making unit Manufacture of mixer grinder and Mini rice Shelling unit/Rice Mill other household goods. Paddy Unit (PCPI) Manufacturing of platform Palmgur making and other palm scales/dharamkanta products industry Manufacture of screw/ball bearing Pepsi Unit/Cold/Soft drinks Manufacture of storage batteries Poha Making Unit/Popcorn Manufacture of steel grills Power atta chakki/Flour Mill Manufacturing instant sambirani Processing of Maize and Ragi sticks packing material Production of Ice Box Manufacturing of weighing Raswanti-Sugarcane Juice catering machine unit Manufacturing of barbed wires Soda manufacturing product Manufacturing of body cooler Vermicelli (shyarige) Machine Manufacturing of mirror/gift articles Manufacturing of sewing machine parts, etc. Manufacturing of shutter locks, etc. Manufacturing of control panels Production of bumper plant protector. Production of radios
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Production of cassette player whether or not fitted with radio Production of voltage stabilizer Production of stove wicks Tin smithy Trunk and peti manufacturing Wire net making
Within its ambit the Hand Made Paper and Fibre industry and Mineral based industry includes the following works:
Hand Made Paper and Fibre Industry Mineral Based Industry
Coir work Black Board/Slate and Slate Fibre items pencil/Chalk making Handmade Paper/Thermocol Blue Metal Jelly (excavation of Leaf cup making stone quarries for crushing of blue Manufacture of Jute products metal jelly) (under Fibre Industry) Brick Bhatta Manufacture of exercise book Cement Blocking binding Ceramic-Dental Teeth Manufacture of paper cups Clay grinding Mat making Cottage-Pottery Industry Manufacture of legal cup- Fuel briquetting plates Gem cutting Pith work Polishing of granite stone slabs/granite crushing Silversmithy Steam Coal Powder Stone cutting Utensil washing powder Utility articles made out of stone
Within the ambit of polymer and chemical based industry, and textile based industry the following business activities are included:
Polymer and Chemical Based Industry Forest Based Industry
Candle Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Chappal making/shoes making by forest produce/medicinal plant
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Chemical industry Bamboo and cane work Cottage match industry/manufacture Ban making unit of fire-works and agrbattis Basket making/Bag making Cottage soap industry Bee keeping Detergents and washing powder Collection of forest plants and fruits making (non toxic) for medicinal purpose Flaying Kath manufacturing Leather works Khus tattis and broom making Manufacture of bindi Manufacture of Gums and Resins Manufacture of essential oils Manufacture of Katha Manufacture of shampoos Manufacture of Shellac Manufacture of packing items of Manufacturing Pharmacetical plastics products Manufacture of hair oil Photo framing Manufacturing of poly bags, etc. Manufacturing of PVC shoes Manufacturing of Resin and Tarpoline oil Menthol oil Manufacture of mosquito killer, etc. Manufacture of PVC pipe and other PVC items Net making Nylon rope making PVC insulated wire and cables Perfume making Products out of Rexin PVC
6. Marketing Practices
For the purpose of the present study, the definition of marketing practices of women entrepreneurs of Manipur is:
“The marketing activities carried out by the women entrepreneurs in
getting their products sold.
7. Social System
Encyclopedia Britannica has defined social system in two ways:
(a) Matriarchy Social System, and
(b) Patriarchy Social System.
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Accordingly, the term Matriarchy Social System is understood as a hypothetical social system in which the mother or female elder has absolute authority over the family groups; by extension, one or more women (as in a council) exert a similar level of authority over the community as a whole. While, the term Patriarchy Social System is understood as a hypothetical social system in which the father or a male elder has absolute authority over the family group; by extension, one or more men (as in a council) exert absolute authority over the community as a whole.
Since, Manipuri society has the culture and tradition of accepting father as the head of the family who is assigned with full authority to exercise decision making power for the family as a whole; hence, the present study asserts that Manipuri society is a patriarchal society and the term “patriarchy social system” as defined in the
Encyclopedia Britannica has been employed for the present study.
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3.8 An Introduction to Manipur
Picture 3.1: Map of Manipur
Source: Google Map
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Manipur is a hilly state situated in the North Eastern region of India. It is situated between 23.830N to 25.680N latitude and 93.030E to 94.780E longitude. It has an altitude of 790 metres above sea level at the valley with specific reference to the capital city of Imphal. It has an area of 22327 sq. km consisting of only 0.7 percent of the total land surface of the country. It has 352 kms. long international border with
Myanmar. It is bounded on the north by Nagaland, on the west by Assam, on the east by
Myanmar (international boundary) and on the south by Mizoram and Myanmar
(international border). The state splits naturally into two regions. They are the hills and the valleys. It has nine revenue districts. Out of these four are in the valley and five are in the hilly regions. The districts which are located in the hilly regions are
Churachanpur, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati and Uhkrul, and the districts in the valley region are Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal respectively. The hilly region constitutes about 90 percent of the total land of the state.
Manipur is multi cultural pluralistic society. Indigenous people of Manipur belong linguistically to Tibeto-Burman family and racially to Mongolian stock. There are 33 schedule tribes and altogether 35 major communities in Manipur. The majority of the people are Meitei inhabitants of the valley and the hilly areas are inhabited by 33 tribes of Kuki-Naga stock. There are small communities such as Malwaris, Bengalis,
Punjabis, Tamils, Nepalese, etc. who are living in the state. They are late comers to the state. All these communities constitute a pluralistic Manipuri society. As per the land system of Manipur, (MLR), Act the hill areas are reserved for tribal people. Hinduism,
Christianity, Islam and Sanamahi are the major religions. Manipuri is the lingua-franca of all the people in Manipur. A clear picture of Manipur is shown in Table 3.1.
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Table 3.1: Manipur at a glance. Sl. No. Items Details 1. State MANIPUR 2. Location North Eastern region of India 3. Capital Imphal 4. Area 22327 sq. km 5. Districts 9 (Nine) 6. State Language Manipuri 7. State Script Meitei Mayek 8. State Emblem Kangla Sha ( Nongsaba), i.e. half lion and half dragon. 9. State Bird Nongyeen 10. State Animal Sangai/Brow Antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi) 11. State Flower Siroy Lily (Lilium Mackline Sealy) 12. State Game Manipuri Polo 13. State Anthem Sana Leibak Manipur 14. State Tree Uning thou 15. State Fish Pengba Source: DIPR, Manipur
Manipur became full-fledged state on January 21, 1972. On November 1, 1956, it became a union territory of India with a territorial council which was upgraded to a territorial Assembly in 1963. On October 15, 1949 Manipur was merged to India and till
31st October 1956, it was considered as Part C state (Chanu, 2005)9. Manipur became a part of British India in 1891 after the defeat of Manipur in the Anglo–Manipuri War in
1891. It is found in the history of Manipur that more than 40 kings have ruled in
Manipur from 14th Century to the mid twentieth century.
Manipur is often described as a land of natural beauty and splendours. St. Clair
Grimwood described Manipur as “A Pretty Place more beautiful than many show places of the world”, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as “Jewel of India”, and Lord Irwin as
“Switzerland of India”. Apart from the natural beauty, Manipur is also famous for its rich art, tradition, culture, sports, and handloom and handicraft products.
9 Chanu, A. I. (2005). Insurgency Movement in Manipur. Omiokumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Working Paper.
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Manipur is connected by both roadways and airways. There are three national highways which connects Imphal. They are NH 39 (Indo-Myanmar road), NH 53 (New
Cachar Road) and NH 150 (Jessami-Tipaimukh Road). The Imphal Tulihal Airport which is located about 8 km from the heart of the city is the only airport of the state. Till now, the capital of the state, Imphal is not connected by Indian railways. Whereas, the rail services has been extended upto Jiribam a border town which is located at the south- western part of Manipur.
The river system in Manipur flows from north to south. There are four major river basins – the Barak river basin, the Manipur river basin, the Yu river basin and the
Lanye river basin in the north (Chanchan, 2013)10. The Barak river basin drains in the western part of the state and join the Brahmaputra River in the north at the Cachar district of Assam. Its main tributaries are the Dzuko, the Leimatak, the Irang, the Makru and the Tuivai and they flow in a North East – North West orientation. In the central part of the state, the Manipur river basin drains which is joined by its tributaries which are the Imphal, the Iril, the Nambul, the Heirok, the Chakpi, the Thoubal, the Kongba, the Sekmai and the Khuga. The load of the Manipur river basins are mostly deposited in the Loktak Lake of the state however they also flow southward to join the Myittha
River, a tributary of the Chindwin river of Myanmar. The Yu river basin which drains in the eastern part of the state includes the Chamu and Khunou. Besides, the Ithai river which drains in the south and joins the Iril river is also another important river in
Manipur. . All these rivers play an important role in the irrigation in the state among which the largest water resources are the Barak and the Manipur River which “have been estimated to be around 1.8487 million hectare in the form of annual yield”
10 op. cit. Chanchan, 2013
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(Drainage System, 2013) 11 . According to Economic survey of Manipur 2013-14,
Manipur has an average annual rainfall of 1639.1 mm. in 2013. And the rainy season is from May to October. In summer, the temperature ranges between14C to 32C and in winter it ranges between 0C to 25C.
Table 3.2: The geographical information of Manipur: Sl. No. Parameters 1. Elevation – (a) Hills = between 1500m and 1800m above sea level (b) Valleys = about 790m above sea level 2. Districts – 9 (nine) (a) There are five hilly districts – Senapati, Tamenglong, Churanchandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul. (b) There are four valley districts - Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal.
3. Area – (a) The hill area covers 90 per cent of the state area i.e. 20089 sq. km (b) The valley area covers only 10 per cent of the state area i.e. 2238 sq. km. 4. Borders – (a) National – Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland. (b) International – Myanmar. 5. National Highways – 3 (three): 39 (Indo-Myanmar road), 53 (New Cachar Road) and 150 (Jessami-Tipaimukh Road). Source: Compiled by the researcher
According to Census of India (2011) 12 , the total population of Manipur is
2855794 which is 6.2 percent of the total population of North-eastern states which
11 NIC Manipur, (2013, June). Drainage System. Retrieve June 18, 2015 from http://www.investinmanipur.nic.in/gp_drainage.html.
12 Census of India (2011). Provisional Population Totals: India Series 1. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner.
[127] comprise of eight states and about 0.22 per cent of the total population of the country.
Manipur ranked first in terms of sex ratio among North-eastern states of India.
The demographic composition of Manipur is shown in Table 3.2.
Table 3.3: The demographic composition of Manipur Sl. No. Items Details
1. Total Population 28,55,794 Male – 14,38,586 Female – 14,17,208 2. Urban Population 8,34,154
3. Rural Population 20,21,640
4. Schedule Tribe 902740 Hill – 845627 Valley – 56913 5. Schedule Caste 97042 Hill – 1967 Valley – 95075 6. Percentage to the total 0.22 population of India 7. Density of Population 128 per sq. km
8. Decadal Growth Rate 24.50 (from 2001-2011) 9. Literacy Rate 79.21 Male – 86.06 Female – 72.37 10. Sex Ratio 985 per 1000 male
11. Birth Rate 14.4 Rural – 14.2 Urban – 15.0 12. Death Rate 4.1 Rural – 4.1 Urban – 4.2 13. Infant Mortality Rate 11 Rural – 11 Urban – 12 Source: Census of India, 2011
Culture and Traditions of Manipur
Manipur is a mosaic of art, traditions and cultural patterns. Its own art–forms and cultural expressions and ramifications distinctly showcase Manipur to the World.
The culture and tradition of Manipur are best represented by the people of Manipur,
[128] their food habit, the famous Manipuri dances and theatre, the festivals celebrated in the state and the indigenous games and sports of the state, etc. There are a number of games which are exclusive to the Manipuris and they are Sagol Kangjei (Manipuri Polo), Yubi
Lakpi (Manipuri Rugby), Khong Kangjei (Manipuri Hockey), Hiyang Tanaba (Boat
Race), Mukna (Manipuri Wrestling), Thang Ta and Sarit Sarat (Manipuri Martial Arts).
Kang of the Naga tribes of Manipur is another important game of the state. Besides, there are also other common games which are played in the state as a part of their culture like Chenjong (long jump), Lamjel (foot race), Mangjong (broadjump), Uraobi
(Manipuri Kabbadi), Seboti (aerobic game style), spear throwing, etc. It is widely believed that Polo was firstly started in Manipur (cited).
Economy of Manipur
Agriculture: Agriculture plays a predominant role in the economy of Manipur.
According to the Economic Survey of Manipur (2013-14), there are 1159053 main and marginal workers out of which 111061 are agricultural labourers, 457891 are cultivators and 89495 are household industrial workers. This means that agriculture occupies the main source of employment of the people of Manipur. It employs about 57.04 percent of the total working population of Manipur. The agricultural area, method of cultivation, name of the major agricultural products of Manipur is shown in Table 3.3.
Table 3.4: Agricultural Profile of Manipur Sl.No. Items Details
1. Total Agricultural Area 45189 hectares
2. Percentage share of the area About 9.41% of the area in the state. cultivated by Manipur 3. Methods of Cultivation: (a) Hill (a) Terrace, Shifting or Jhuming
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(b) Valley (b) Settled 4. Crops Cereals, Foodgrains, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibres, Wheat, Maize, Sugarcane, Mustard, Potato, etc. 5. Fruits Pineapple, Orange, Lemon, Papaya, Arum, Banana, Passion fruit, Apples, Guava, Peaches, etc. 6. Vegetables Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Peas, Potato, etc. 7. Spices Green Chilli, Ginger, Turmeric, Coriander seeds, Large Cardamom, etc. .8. GSDP (agriculture including Rs. 201233 lacs (Advance estimate, 2012- livestock) at current prices 13) Source: Economic Survey of Manipur, 2013-14
Forestry: According to the Forest Department of Manipur (2004-05)13, forest covers about 16,926 sq. km which is almost 75.81 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. Out of these, 5,710 sq. kms falls under dense forest while 11,216 sq. kms falls under open forest. There are nine forest divisions in the state and those are –
Bishnnupur, Central, Eastern, Jiribam, Northern, Southern, Tengnoupal, Thoubal and
Western forest division. The different types of forest which are found in the state are identified as coniferous and deciduous forest, wet forest and pine forest. The forests are home to a number of plants and trees having rich medical values. Some of the medicinal plants found in Manipur are Baunra, Chaning, Hansraj, Leibungou, Lashing (cotton),
Langthrei, Leibakngou Manba, Mayur Pambi, Pakhamba Maton, Terapaibi, Thingthou,
Te-Bam, etc. Besides, the state is also endowed with a variety of flora and fauna. There are as many as 1300 flora and 338 fauna in the state of which Sangai –‘the Dancing
Deer’ is the most unique flora while, ‘Siroy Lily’ (Lilium Macklineae) is the most
13 Forest Department, (2004-05). Annual Administrative Report: 2004-05. Manipur: Government of Manipur. Retrieve September 24, 2015 from http://manipurforest.gov.in/AnnualAdmReports/AnnualAdmRept2004-05.doc
[130] unique fauna of all. Manipur lies in the range of north-eastern Himalayan region and this region happens to be the mega biodiversity ‘hotspots’ in India. The state has a number of proposed biosphere reserves including the Keibul Lamjao National Park which is the only floating park in the world and is also famous for its natural habitat of
Sangai (bro – antlered deer). The forests of Manipur are also rich in orchids. There are around 500 varieties of orchids which grow in Manipur of which 472 have been identified among which the well known orchids are kwaklei, khongup lei, melei leishna, yerum lei, tengthou lei, khongumelei, senpak lei, engalei, shamji lei, nachom lei, kwaklei, takhel lei, lafoi lei, etc. The orchids of Manipur are abounding in their natural habitat and grow in soil or on trees and shrubs.
Table 3.5: Forestry of Manipur Sl. No. Items Details
1. Total Forest Area 16,990 sq. km 2. Percentage Share of State Area 77.09% 3. Forest Products Timber, Firewood. Cane, Bamboo, Sand, Stone, Rubber, Earth, Charcoal, Smilex, Long peeper, Thatching grass, Agarwood, Broom, etc. 4. GSDP (Forestry including Rs. 39565 lacs (Advance estimate, logging) at current prices 2012-13) Source: Forest Department of Manipur, 2004-05 Economic Survey of Manipur, 2013-14
Fishery: It is also an important area of generating employment and earning revenue by the people of the state. It is estimated that the total fish production and fish seed production of the state in the year 2007 is 15,450 tonnes and 115 millions (in units)
[131] which is expected to be of value of Rs.9871 lakhs altogether and that a “total number of
34,064 persons are found engaging in fishing activities” (MSDR)14. However, the fish production in the state had increased up to 22.20 thousand tonnes in the year 2011-12.
Though there is no marine fishery, there are a number of inland fishery resources in
Manipur among which Loktak Lake occupies the major space (Economic Survey of
Manipur, 2013-14). The fishery resources of Manipur are lakes, reservoirs, tanks, canals, water-logged marshy and swampy lands, beels, biomass, submerged crop land, rivers, streams, water-logged areas converted into agricultural lands, low lying paddy field, etc.
Industry: Manipur continues to remain industrially backward state. At present, there are no heavy and large industries in the state. However, there are number of Micro,
Small and Medium enterprises in Manipur. According to the fourth all India census of
MSME (2011)15, there are 5421 registered enterprises in the state which is engaged in either manufacturing activities or service activities which provide employment to
19,960 persons, and contribute to the gross output and export of the state of worth Rs.
199.8 crores and Rs.0.15 crores respectively. According to Economic Survey of
Manipur (2013-14), there are 10264 industrial units operating in the state which is giving employment to 53719 persons. However, most of the enterprises are handloom and handicraft based units. There are few public sector undertakings in Manipur which is still found to be functioning. Some of them are: Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts
14 Planning Commission, Govt. of Manipur (2006, July). Manipur State Development Report. Retrieve June 18, 2015 from http://www.manipur.nic.in/planning/DraftMSDR/Default_DraftMSDR.html. 15 MSME, (2011, April). Final Report: Fourth All India Census of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. New Delhi: Development Commissioner, MSME.
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Development Corporation Ltd. (MHHDCL), Manipur Electronic Development
Corporation Ltd. (MANITRON) and Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd.
(MANIDCO).
Tourism: Because of its unique flora and fauna, rich tradition of art, culture, games and sports, the scenic beauty, the mystique physiographic features, etc. Manipur can be promoted as a perfect destination for tourist. The Tourism Department of Manipur has mentioned in its Annual Administrative Report (2010-11)16 that Manipur is a state with no mineral resources, hence, the importance of tourism in the state cannot be overemphasised and that there is an urgent need to tap the full potential of tourism in the State in view of the growing problems of unemployment, poverty and social unrest, for which tourism development may be the only answer. There are a number of tourist spots in the state and government has been taking up initiative in developing and promoting tourism in the state as recognition of the role that tourism plays in revenue earning and in bringing about economic transformation. Some of the tourist hotspots of the state are the Kangla Fort (Imphal West), the Loktak Lake and its isles (Bishnupur), the Siroy hill (Ukhrul), the Keibul Lamjao National Park (Bisnupur), the Ima Market and the Moreh town (Chandel). Besides, the state government organises festivals like the Sangai Festival, Orange Festival, etc. to promote tourism in the state. There are many tourist spots in different parts of manipur The major tourist spots of the different districts of the state (Manipur) include:
(i) Bishnupur District – The Sendra Island, the Phubala, the Leikoipat Ecological
Park and the INA Memorial.
16 Tourism Department, (2010-11). Annual Administrative Report 2010-11. Manipur: Government of Manipur. Retrieve 24 September, 2015 from http://tourismmanipur.nic.in/downloads/2011.pdf.
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(ii) Chandel District – The Tengmupal and the Moreh town.
(iii) Imphal East – The Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, the Palace Compound, the
Second World War Cemetery, the Mutua Museum, the Manipur Mountaineering
and Trekking Association (MMTA), the Hanuman Thakur Temple, the Kaina
and the Indian Army War Cemetery.
(iv) Imphal West – The Manipur State Museum, the Zoological Garden, the
Khonghampat Orchidarium, the Langthabal Old Palace and the Nupi Lal
Complex.
(v) Senapati District – The Yangkhullen village, the Makhel cave, the Sadu chiru
waterfalls, the Dzuko valley and the Mao hill station.
(vi) Thoubal District – The Khongjom Memorial, the Kakching trading centre and
Pallel.
(vii) Tamenglong District – The Zailand Lake, the Tharon Cave and the Barak
Waterfalls.
(viii) Ukhrul District – The Khangkhui Lime Cave, the Khayang Peak and the
Hundung Mangva cave.
Market in Manipur:
Khwaramband Keithel which is located at the heart of Imphal is the main market of Manipur. There are small markets in different parts of the state where trading activities are taken place. The Ima Market (Mother’s Market in Khwairamband Bazar of
Imphal) the largest women market in the state where more than 3,000 women vendors from different part of the state involve in trading activities. The products produced by the local entrepreneurs are also brought here in order to get it disposed. The Ima market was established by King Paikhomba in 1614 A.D. at the heart of the Imphal city of
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Manipur. The most notable feature of this market is that the vendors are exclusively female, and the products which sell in the market are ranging from vegetables, handloom items, ladies garments, goods of religious and ceremonial used, bedding items and many other day to day and long term durables and non durable consumer goods. Besides its economic significance, the Ima market is also considered as an important place for Manipuri society because of its historical significance as well as an eye catching spot for the tourist.
IMA MARKET
Picture 3.2: Ima Market (Mother’s Market) Source: Compiled by the researcher
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Districts of Manipur
The 22,327 sq. km. wide territory of Manipur is divided among Nine districts under which division the Bishnupur district is the smallest district while Churachandpur district is the largest district. Imphal West district of Manipur occupies only 2.49 per cent of states geographical area however its percentage share in terms of population is very high and covers almost 18.1 per cent of the state’s share. It is the most populated district of the state with 998 persons per sq. km. density of population. Further, the district occupies an important administrative and economic unit of the state. Again, though Tamenglong district occupies 19.66 per cent of the states geographical area which is a major portion of the states area however its share in terms of population is only 4.9 per cent. The district falls under the category of the lowest populated district of the state.
Table 3.6: The Demographic features of the districts of Manipur Districts Population Popula Sex Ratio Literacy Rate (%) Total % -tion (females Total Male Female share Density per 1000 males) Bishnupur 237399 8.3 479 999 75.85 85.11 66.68 Chandel 144182 5.0 44 933 71.11 77.78 63.96 Churachandpur 274143 9.6 60 975 82.78 86.97 78.50 Imphal East 456113 16.0 643 1017 81.95 88.77 75.32 Imphal West 517992 18.1 998 1031 86.08 92.24 80.17 Tamenglong 140651 4.9 32 943 70.05 76.09 68.07 Thoubal 422168 14.8 821 1002 74.47 85.00 64.09 Ukhrul 183998 6.5 40 943 81.35 85.25 76.95 Senapati 4,79,148 16.8 146 937 74.13 79.98 68.07 Manipur 2855794 100.0 128 985 79.21 86.06 72.37 Source: Census of India, 2011
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Bishnupur District
The Bishnupur district of Manipur is also known as “the Land of Dancing Deer” and it is located 27 kms away from the Capital City ‘Imphal’ of the state. The district's headquarter is Bishnupur. Bishnupur was formed as a district of Manipur on May 25,
1983 and is the smallest district of the state with only 496 sq. km area. It is geographically extended between 24.18N and 24.44 N latitudes and 93.43 E and
93.53 E longitudes at an altitude of 828.18 metre (above sea level). The district is surrounded by Thoubal district on the east, Imphal West district on the north and
Churachandpur district on the south. The topography of the district includes a tiny plain, hill areas and marshy lands. Out of the total geographical area of the district, 4.23 per cent are forest covered. There are two main blocks in the district – the Bishnupur and the Moirang which is mainly inhabited by the Meiteis.
Special Attractions:
Bishnupur district holds importance because of its many historical places and the endemic specie ‘Sangai’ which is famous over the world as the dancing deer. Besides, the largest fresh water lake of India known as Loktak Lake is also located in the district.
Another notable feature of the district is that the only power house of the state that is the
Loktak Hydro Electric Power house is situated in the district from which the entire state’s electric supply is done.
Further, the important features of the district which distinguishes it from other valley and hill districts are:
(i) The district is ideal for tourism industry as the district is situated with the
famous Loktak Lake and the Keibul Lamjao National Park where the unique
‘Sangai’ resides.
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(ii) The mineral resource of the district contains good quality clay and stone
deposits because of which the district has been famous for clay and stone
products from early time and hence effort and initiative can be made to develop
the area.
(iii) The soil of the district is moderately fertile with clay and loam soil. Hence,
horticultural crop occupies the main occupation of the people of the district. The
major horticultural crops of the district involves vegetables such as cabbage,
cauliflower, redish, brinjal, peas; fruits such as orange, lemon, guava, tree bean,
peach, pineapple; and others like ginger, coriander, turmeric, mushroom,
chillies, etc.
(iv) The district has always been ideal for sericulture base, textile base, forest base
and livestock base industry and will continue to have potential.
Chandel District
The Chandel district (formerly as Tengnoupal district) is one of the hilly districts of Manipur State. It was formed on May 13, 1974 with Chandel as the district’s head quarter. It is located about 64 kms away from Imphal and lies between the 2440N latitude and 9350E longitude. It is the border district of Manipur and lies in the south – eastern part of the state. The district is therefore bordered with international boundary i.e. Myanmar (Burma) on the south, Ukhrul district of Manipur on the east,
Churachandpur district on the south and west, and Thoubal district on the north. The district is sparsely inhabitant by a number of tribes almost around 20 groups among which prominent ones are Anal, Chothe, Kukis, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Maring,
Paite and Thadou. 90 per cent of the total area of the district is covered by hill ranges.
The Moreh town, the only international trading centre of Manipur is located at the
[138] district. Other potential features of the district which can contribute to economic and entrepreneurial activities are:
(i) The soil type of the district is mostly coarser varying from fine loamy to
lateral sandy loam which is basically reddish in colour and slightly acidic in
nature, hence the soil type makes the district most favourable for
horticultural crops like banana, cucumber, chilli-hybrid, french bean, brinjal,
bhindi, etc.
(ii) The district is abundant with forest products like the wood based products,
bamboo shoots and bamboo based products, firewood, charcoal, etc.
(iii) Though there is no water bodies in the district because of which fishery is
not ideal, however the district is found with rich mineral resources most of
which are in the nature of chromites deposits containing partly metallurgical
grade, asbestos, nickel, copper and cobalt. Hence, the district has potential in
terms of mineral base industries.
Churachandpur District
Churachandpur also known by the local people as ‘Lamka’ is located 60 kms away from Imphal and is one of the hilly districts of Manipur. The Churachandpur district was previously known as the Manipur South district and is the biggest district of the state. Churachandpur is the head quarter of Churachandpur district. The district is located in the south-western region of the state and lies between 230.55 to 240.30 N and 920.59 to 930.50 E. The district is bordered by Assam and Mizoram state of India in the west, Bishnupur district in the north, Chandel district in the east and by Myanmar
(international border) in the south. The district is a bustling of tribal communities
[139] however, the Kuki-Chin-Mizo are the dominant ones. The district is considered to be the fastest growing district and hill town among the hill districts of Manipur.
Special Attractions:
The important features of the district which could form the basis of influence to the people of the district in taking up entrepreneurial and economic activities are:
(i) The district has “red, rocky and clay loamy laterite soil type” (Ministry of
MSME, 2013)17 which is ideal for production of horticultural crops like
ginger, potato, condiments, passion fruit, grape, pineapple, mushroom, etc.
(ii) Since the district is hilly region there is not much computation of ground
water resources however the available water resources are generally safe and
suitable for all purposes and contains adequate pH value, EC value, and TDS
value, and the iron and arsenic concentration is also within permissible limit.
Imphal East District
Covering a total area of 709 sq. km. the Imphal East District occupies the largest district among the valley districts of Manipur. The district came into existence on 18th
June, 1987. The district is situated in two separate valleys of the state namely Central
Valley and Jiribam Valley. The central valley of Imphal East district is a part of the main Imphal city with its head quarter at Porompat. The central valley is bounded by
Senapati district in the north, Ukhrul district in the east, Thoubal district in the south and by Imphal West district in the west. Further, the district is divided into four major revenue sub divisions of which Jiribam sub division is the most distinct one. Though
17 Ministry of MSME, (2013). Brief Industrial Profile of Churachandpur District (Manipur). Takyelpat, Imphal: MSME – Development Institute, Ministry of MSME, Government of India. Retrieve July 07, 2015 from http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/ChurachandpurDistrict_man.pdf
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Jiribam sub division is located in a separate valley on the western most boundary of the state adjoining the Cachar district of Assam, it is a municipal council in Imphal East district of Manipur. The major inhabitants of Imphal East district are the Meiteis, however, other social groups like Assamese, Bengalis, Meitei Pangan, Nagas, Kukis,
Thadou, Kabui, Tangkhul, Hmar, etc. also form a part of the total population of the district. Like other regions of the state, the district has no rail network except for
Jiribam Sub-Division which is found to have rail head from the Cachar District of
Assam. The district is connected with the three national highways of the state and occupies an important administrative as well as economic unit of the state.
Special Attractions:
The major sericulture products and the plantation of tea and rubber are found in this district. Besides, the district is endowed with other resources that can play a pivotal role in the economic development of the state.
(i) The most notable feature of the district is the Jiribam sub division of the
district which is located in the extreme most western corner of the state. The
Jiribam town also known as the western gate of Manipur was once a major
trade centre during the time of King Churachand and still has the potential in
import and export activity of the state on both the national as well as local
products.
(ii) The soil type of the district comprises of residual and transported soil, the
residual soil are of laterised red soils which contains rich portion of nitrogen
and phosphate, a medium amount of acidity and lesser amount of potash
while the transported soil are of alluvial and organic which contains a fair
portion of potash, phosphate, nitrogen and organic matter and are less acidic.
The district cultivates around 20856 hactares of land which plays a major
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role in providing employment to about 64 per cent of the total working force
in the district. The primary agricultural product is rice followed by other
horticultural crops like pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, French bean, bhindi,
potato, chillies, etc. Hence, introduction of agro – technique based industry
could become a potential area for employment and income generation.
(iii) The district is also found with mineral resources such as good quality clay
which are favourable for brick making activities.
(iv) Sand and stone deposits are also found mainly in Sanahal Lokchao and river
beds of Sekmai village. This is another area of industrial potential for the
district.
(v) The district is also endowed with a number of tourist sports like the Khuman
Lampak Sports Complex, Shree Shree Govindajee temple, Second World
War cemetery, Indian Army War Cemetery, Hanuman Thakur temple,
Mutua Museum, etc. which make the district favourable enough for taking
up entrepreneurial activities like hotels and restaurants, tourism and
hospitality, transportation, etc.
Imphal West District
The Imphal West district is the one of the capital districts of the state and occupies an important administrative and economic unit of the state. The district is a tiny plain at the centre of Manipur and lies between 24.30 - 25.00N latitude and
93.45-94.15E longitude. Lamphelpat is the head quarter of the district. The district is surrounded by Senapati on the north, Thoubal and Bishnupur on the south, Imphal East on the east and by Senapati and Bishnupur on the west. It enjoys sub tropical humid type of climate because of which the district has relatively high humidity. The
[142] physiographic of the district comprises of three units viz., the plain, the tiny hills and marshy land. It is the only district of Manipur which is connected with Air route. The major population of the district comprises of Meiteis, and is accompanied by other social groups such as Muslims, Bengalis, Biharis, Punjabis, Nepalis, etc. and other tribal communities.
Special Attractions:
The district is most suitable for taking up any kind of activity which can lead to income and employment generation as the district is the centre of trade, commerce and business. The district is facilitated with transport, communication, infrastructure and other elements which are most suitable for taking up not only micro, small and medium based industry but also large scale industry. Other important features of the district which could form the basis of influence to the people of the district in taking up the entrepreneurial and economic activities are:
(i) The district has fertile land and is mainly made up of alluvial soil of
recent origin. The district is favourable for paddy crops and other
horticultural crops like pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, pea, french bean,
bhindi, tomato, chillies, etc.
(ii) In comparison to other districts of the state, Imphal West is most advance
in terms of micro, small and medium enterprises like handloom and
handicrafts, cottage industry, jewellery, beauty services, food processing,
iron and steel works, automobiles, etc. and these sectors have been able
to create market place in the district. Hence, pursuing economic activities
in line with the already existing type of businesses will not be a difficult
task since market is already available.
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(iii) The district is also widely in practice of poultry farming, breeding,
piggery, cattle rearing, fish farming, etc.
(iv) Another notable feature of the district is the situation of the Ima Market
or Women’s Market which is known to be the largest women market of
Asia and it occupies one of the important trade centres of the state which
is giving livelihood to around 3000 women vendors of Manipur. The Ima
Market has become a means of earning income not only of the vendors
of the Ima Market but also of many other women of the state. Women
from different parts of the state has find it the best and most appropriate
market place to disposed off their manufactured products.
(v) The district is also endowed with many tourist spot which holds
historical, social and economic importance such as the Kangla Fort, the
Ima Market, the Manipur State Museum, Saheed Minar, Zoological
garden , Legislative Assembly, High Court, Khonghampat Orchidarium,
Langthabal Old Palace, Paona and Khwairamband Bazar, Nupilal
Complex, etc.
Tamenglong District
Tamenglong also called the Land of Hornbill is located along the western boundary of the state. The district is covered with hill ranges and narrow valley regions and is situated at a distance of 156 kms. away from the capital city Imphal. The district lies between 93 - 94.20 N latitude and 24.30 - 25.30 longitude and is surrounded by
Churachandpur in the south, Senapati in the East and North, Nagaland state of India in the North and by Imphal West district and Assam state of India in the west. The district has been known as Manipur West district before 1972 and it is the farthest district from
[144] the state capital, Imphal (NIC, 2014)18. Tamenglong is the head quarter of the district.
The district is mostly hilly except some flat lands barely covering around 1000 hectare.
The district is inhabitant mostly by the zeliangrong naga tribes comprising of rongmei, liangmei, zemei and pumei. Besides, other social groups like hmars, chirus and khasi are also found in the district.
Special Attractions:
The important features of the district which could form the basis of influence to the people of the district in taking up the entrepreneurial and economic activities are:
(i) The Tamenglong district falls under the soil of hot humid agro-eco zone
with hyper-thermal ecosystem and these soil are generally from moderate to
strongly acidic, humus rich and have low base saturation. Because of the
prevailing soil system, Tamenglong is most ideal for horticultural and other
crops products which are most tolerant to acidity like orange, pineapple,
lemon, pears, etc. As such the district has become the largest producer of
orange in the state. And the Government of Manipur in recognition of the
necessity to facilitate the socio – economic upliftment of the people of the
district had initiated the orange festival as a means to promote tourism and
provide an opportunity to the orange farmers of the district.
(ii) The district is also primarily under forest cover and these forests can be
grouped as tropical ever green forest, sub tropical forest and bamboo brakes.
Hence, the forest of the district is abundant with varieties of cane, bamboo,
thatch grass, medicinal plants mushrooms and murels which could lead to
18 NIC Tamenglong, (2014). Brief Introduction and District Profile. Retrieve September 24, 2015 from http://www.tamenglong.nic.in/profile.html.
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another favourable condition for taking up activities related to handicraft
activities and food processing activities like bamboo shoot products,
mushroom and murels products, etc.
(iii) Tourism industry can also be encourage in the district and can become one
of the important tourist spot of the state because of its natural spots like the
Barak waterfall, Buning, Kisha Khou, Zeilad lake and Tharon cave.
Thoubal District
Thoubal district is the largest district among the valley districts of Manipur and covers an area of 514 sq. km. The district came into existence on May, 1983 and
Thoubal was made as the head quarter of the district. The district lies between 23.45N
– 24.45N latitude and 93.45E – 94.15E longitude and is bounded on the north by
Imphal district, on the east by Ukhrul and Chandel districts, on the south by Chandel and Churachandpur districts and on the west by the districts of Imphal and Bishnupur.
Although Thoubal district is a valley district, the topography of Thoubal comprises of both the plains and the hills and is inhabitant mostly by the Meiteis. Thoubal district has emerged as one of the fastest growing town among the valley districts of Manipur.
The most notable feature of the district is that it forms a major unit for fish production. Besides, the district had been in practice for handloom and handicraft products since long and they are very artistic and creative in their approach because of which handloom and handicraft products of the district still continues to take strong root in the state. However, the district’s major economic activity is agriculture and therefore,
27.15 per cent of the areas are cultivated from which the major production are the paddy and other horticultural crops like pineapple, sugarcane, oilseed, maize, potatoes, chillies, pea, cabbage, cauliflower, French bean, bhindi, pulses, etc. Further, the important
[146] features of the district which could form the basis of influence to the people of the district in taking up entrepreneurial and economic activities are:
(i) The Kakching station of the district is a major trading centre of variety of
consumer items of which the mains ones are the vegetables, rice, fishes
as the town is easily accessible from different parts of the state through
the national highway running across the district.
(ii) The district is also endowed with mineral resources like brine springs
which can be used for manufacturing salts, red clay which can be used
for making pottery, and also iron ore of lower grade.
(iii) The soil of Thoubal district is highly fertile which provides a wide and
great scope for cultivation. And as such, around 70 per cent of the total
population of the district are occupied directly and indirectly by
agricultural activities. The major agricultural product is rice which
covers around 90 per cent of the total cultivated area because of which
the district is surplus in food grains and hence, the district is one of the
prime sources of supplies to the yield requirements of the state.
(iv) The district is the largest sugarcane producer of the state. Hence, sugar
based industry or enterprises would be an area of potential of the district.
(v) The district is also found with livestocks which can be reared for milk
and for motive power in cultivation. Such livestocks are cattle, buffaloes,
etc. Generation of employment and income through poultry farming,
breeding and piggery are already in wide practice in the district.
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(vi) As per Ministry of MSME, Takyelpat (2013)19, the district is identified
to have potential for development of micro, small and medium
enterprises in areas like agro based, forest based, sericulture based,
textile based, livestock based and engineering based industry, etc.
Ukhrul District
Ukhrul district is the highest hill station of the state and it came into existence on
November, 1969. The district’s head quarter is Ukhrul. The district is located at 24N –
25.41 N latitude and 94E – 94.47E longitude and is surrounded by both the national and international boundaries. It is bordered with Myanmar (international border) on the east, on the north by the Nagaland (national boundary) and on the west and south by
Senapati and Chandel district. The district has a temperate climate however winter is very chilli and at some times snow fall occurs. The district is the home of the Shiroy
Lilies, the most uniqe and beautiful flora of the world. And, it is also the home of the colourful Tangkhul tribes which is the oldest and the major tribe of Manipur and as such the district is also known as the land of colourful Tangkhuls. The major inhabitants of the district are, therefore, the Tangkhuls; however, other social groups like Kukis,
Nepalese and other non tribals also constitute the population share of the district in a small percentage.
Special Attractions:
Ukhrul district holds an important place for tourism industry in the state as the district is endowed with the prime tourist attraction spot ‘Shiroy Hill’ where Shiroy
19 Ministry of MSME, (2013). Brief Industrial Profile of Thoubal District (Manipur). Takyelpat, Imphal: MSME – Development Institute, Ministry of MSME, Government of India. Retrieve June 07, 2015 from http://www.msme-diimphal.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIP-Thoubal.pdf
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Lilies grows. Besides, there are many other tourist spots in the district such as Khankhui
Cave, Hundung Mangva Cave, Khayang Peak, etc. which makes the district one of the ideal place for tourism industry in the state. Further, the other features of the district which could influence people to take up entrepreneurial and other economic activities are:
(i) The district has alluvial, lateritic black regur and red ferruginous type of soil.
However, the district uses only 2.13 per cent of the total geographical area
for agricultural purposes. The agricultural products of the district comprises
of rice, maize, potato, pulse, cabbage, leafy vegetable, chillies, groundnuts,
banana, sugarcane, and acidic fruits like lemon, orange, etc. Besides,
sugarcane plantation is also found in the district.
(ii) The district’s most notable feature is the discovery of limestone and
chromites deposits in the district.
(iii) The district’s forest area covers about 78 per cent of the total geographical
area of the district hence, the district is gifted with rich flora and fauna and
its main products like honey, hides, horns, bamboo, cane, timber, etc. serve
as the main item of export from the district.
(iv) Besides agro based, forest based, sericulture based, engineering based,
textile based and livestock based industry; the district is also identified to
have potential for development of enterprises in other industrial activities
like packed drinking water, medical herbs plantation, cement and chromites
based industry.
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Senapati District
Senapati district is located at 65 kms. away from the capital and lies between
93.29 - 94.15East longitude and 24.37 - 25.37North latitude. Senapati is the head quarter of Senapati district. The total area of the district covers 3271 sq. km. out of which almost 36.16 per cent were forest cover. The district is the border district of the state and is surrounded by Imphal, Ukhrul and Tamenglong district on the south, east and west respectively and on the north by the Nagaland state of India. The district is at an elevation of 2500m and enjoys humid subtropical climate. The literacy rate of the district is high with 75 per cent of the population recorded to have attained formal education. The temperature of the district ranges from a minimum of 3.36C to a maximum of 34.14C and receives an annual rainfall which ranges from 671 mm to
1454 mm. Mao is the oldest hill station of Senapati district while Makhel hill station of
Senapati district holds and important historical place of Naga dispersal and the legendary place of common origin of the Meiteis and Nagas (Gupta, 2016)20. The major ethnic of the district comprises of Mao, Maram, Poumai, Thangal, Zemai, Liangmai,
Roungmei, Tangkhul, Meitei, Kuki, Nepalese, Vaiphei, Chothe, Chiru, Maring, etc.
Special Attractions:
Further, the important features of the district which could form the basis of influence to the people of the district in taking up entrepreneurial and economic activities are:
(i) Dzuko valley is the most distinct feature of the district and it is one of the
hotspots for tourism. The Dzuko valley has the most pristine natural beauty
and the valley blooms with the rarest species of Lilies. Besides, Maram
20 Ibid (13).
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Khullen, Yangkhullen, Mao, Liyai, Makhel Cave, Purul, etc. are other tourist
places of the district. The Manipur’s highest peak that is Mt. Iso is also
located in the Dzuko valley of the district.
(ii) A number of medical plants are found in the district which is useful for
various purposes. Some of the medical plants has tremendous value and can
be put to use in various kinds of sicknesses and diseases like coughs, colds,
jaundice, haemoglobinuric bile, pneumonia, asthma, chest disease, diabetes,
healing of wounds, intermittent fevers, diarrhoea, veneral disease, snake
bites, sprains, contusions, stomach ulcers, dysentery, genitor-urinary tract,
headache, etc.
(iii) The soil of the district is moderately fertile with clay and loam soil which
make it ideal for agricultural and horticultural crop like rice, cereals, passion
fruit, pineapple, pea, french bean, tapioca, spices, chillies, ginger, etc.
(iv) As per the record of Forest department of Manipur (2004-05), almost 72 per
cent of the district’s geographical area is covered by forest. The forest of the
district provides firewood, charcoal, wood and many other resources like
cane, bamboo, arundo donax (a variety of reed) which makes the district
suitable for entrepreneurial activities like bamboo baskets, mats and other
cane works, fishing nets, carpentry, furniture, bamboo shoot products, etc.
(v) The Ministry of MSME (2013)21 has identified the district to posses the
potentiality for development of enterprises in areas like piggery and poultry
farms, medical and herbal extracts, handloom and handicraft, meat and food
21 Ministry of MSME, (2013). Brief Industrial Profile of Senapati District (Manipur). Takyelpat, Imphal: MSME – Development Institute, Ministry of MSME, Government of India. Retrieve September 24, 2015 from http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/SENAPATI_man.pdf.
[151] processing, pottery, iron and steel industry, restaurants, motels, transportation services, tourism based industry, etc.
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